Islamic State group claims responsibility for Brussels attacks; at least 31 dead
Source: Chicago Tribune
Bombs exploded at the Brussels airport and one of the city's metro stations Tuesday, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens, as a European capital was again locked down amid heightened security threats. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The two airport blasts, at least one of them blamed on a suicide bomber, left behind a chaotic scene of splattered blood in the departure lounge as windows were blown out, ceilings collapsed and travelers streamed out of the smoky building.
About an hour later, another bomb exploded on a rush-hour subway train near the European Union headquarters. Terrified passengers had to evacuate through darkened tunnels to safety.
"What we feared has happened," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters. "In this time of tragedy, this black moment for our country, I appeal to everyone to remain calm but also to show solidarity."
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-brussels-explosions-20160322-story.html
yuiyoshida
(41,759 posts)Bad Dog
(2,025 posts)The good news is that this was probably a last dash. There have been arrests and intelligence leaks which probably forced their hand. It may have been even worse if they'd had more time to plan. Hopefully this was one last desperate roll of the dice.
If anything it might get the Belgian police and intelligence services to actually start talking to each other, because, according to Frank Gardener, that's something they don't do.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)Bad Dog
(2,025 posts)I don't think the language barrier is an issue at all. Most people speak either German English or French, the language divide isn't something that just happened overnight. we've been dealing with it for rather a long time.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)Last edited Tue Mar 22, 2016, 06:24 PM - Edit history (1)
Is this article in The New York Times after the Paris attacks. The New York Times after the Paris attacks
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/25/world/europe/its-capital-frozen-belgium-surveys-past-failures-and-squabbles.html?_r=1&referer=http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1386040
i'm an American who knows the difference between Flanders and Wallonia.
Bad Dog
(2,025 posts)Coupled with a sense of ownership of intelligence. Will intelligence sharing jeopardise sources? Not to forget all the bloody pecking orders in the relative intelligence agencies, who answers to whom, that sort of shit. That's what needs to be sorted out and quick. There should be a European police conference to get this done.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)Many Belgians don't think that they should be a unified country.
I heard that is a greater sentiment in the Dutch speaking Flanders region.
Not pushing you just trying to learn something.g
I get what you said about "pecking orders in the relative intelligence agencies, who answers to whom,"
Intelligence sharing in America between our agencies has been a problem as well.
Bad Dog
(2,025 posts)I wasn't just talking about Belgium though but across EFTA. That's where intelligence needs to be shared and quickly. With all the different intelligence agencies, different names, different ranks and all the corresponding egos that go with it, it won't be easy.
If just Belgium and France had shared information one tragedy may have been avoided or had it's impact lessened.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)horrible things? I do not understand this.
There is no excuse whatsoever for acts of terror like this.
Legends303
(481 posts)FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Please limit your critique to the west, and particularly Chimpy and Cheney and Rummy.
When you criticize any aspect of Islam, any teachings or scriptures, you are insulting ALL Muslims. You cannot separate them.
If you cannot help yourself, please at least acknowledge that every religion is equally bad.
Legends303
(481 posts)criticizing a part of a religion when it promotes violence and also are we not allow to criticize Christianity that seems ok.
TipTok
(2,474 posts)tabasco
(22,974 posts)I don't blame her. She would normally vote SPD if not for this immigrant disaster.